Supporting structure for concrete construction



March 18, 1930. c KEPPLE 1,750,760

SUPPORTING STRUCTURE FOR CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION Filed July 20, 1928 5 INVENTOR.

JOHN C, K pr; E. WM

' ATTORNEYS.

Patented Mar. 18, 1930 UNITED STATES JOHN C. KEPPLE, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA SUPPORTING STRUCTURE FOR CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION Application flied July 20,

This invention relates to concrete building structures, and particularly to the formation of the centering forms, reference being had to my co-pending application, Serial No. 293,624, filed July 18, 1928, entitled Supporting structure for concrete construction.

The principal feature of this invention resides in the construction and formation of the ends of the centering forms for tapering them inwardly and thereby causing an out-, wardly flaring beam to be formed adjacent a supporting girder in the building structure. This is accomplished by slitting the ends of the centering forms when in the flat and prior to the formation of the forms from the sheet metal blank, said slits extending inwardly from the end to be tapered, for the purpose as hereinafter more fully set forth and described.

Another feature of the invent-ion resides in the arrangement of the slit ends whereby any degree of taper may be obtained within limits so that the same forms may be used in construction work having the formed beams flaring at diiferentdegrees.

Still a further feature of the invention resides in the provision of a metal end plate for closing the tapered and reduced ends of the centering forms with suitable provision for interlocking the end plate therewith.

The full nature of the invention will be more fully understood from the accompanying drawings and the following description and claims.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the centering forms with the tapered ends and end plates in place. Fig. 2 is a plan view showing sheet metal blank slotted ready for formation. Fig. 3 is the same as Fig. 2 showing the centering form after having been formed to provide the end taper. Fig. 4 is an internal View of the end plate with the latching mechanism in interlocking position. Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 55 of Fig. 4.

In the drawings there is shown a structural support comprising the ledger beams 10 and 11 formed of structural channels or timbers which are supported at intervals by a suitable shoring not shown herein. The

1928. Serial No. 294,201.

centering forms comprise a plurality of sheet metal members 13 which are of inverted U-shape in cross section when placed in position, and are adapted to rest adjacent their ends upon the ledgers 10 and 11. Intermediate the centering forms there are sotfit plates or boards indicated at 14 which are supported upon the soflit chairs 15. Said chairs are provided with recesses adapted to engage the outwardly and upwardly extending flanges 16 of the centering forms and be supported thereby in such manner as to support the soflit plates or boards at the desired height with respect to the upper surface of the centering forms. Thus, the concrete indicated at 17 may be poured over the centering forms and soflit plates or boards, the concrete beams indicated at 18 being formed by the concrete supported by the soflit plates or boards intermediate the centering forms.

In order that the finished concrete beams 18 may flare outwardly adjacent a supporting post, it is necessary to form the centering forms with an inwardly tapered end. This is accomplished by slitting the blank sheet metal from which the forms are made as at 19, as shown in Fig. 2, the slits extending rearwardly from the end to the full extent of the flare desired for the beams and at an angle away from each other toprovide the minimum taper to the forms which will give the maximum desired flare to thebeams.

The blank is then formed U-shape in cross section, as illustrated in Figs. 1, 3 and 1, with the flanged edge 16, thus providing a top portion 20 and side portions 21, the side portions having tapering and inwardly turned flange formed thereon as indicated at 22, which are adapted to telescope beneath proper position, and where desired the corresponding tapers of the slits may be varied to permit a greater flare to be formed on the ends of the beams than is shown herein.

For closing the tapered ends of the forms to prevent the concrete from passing therethrough, the metal end plates 25 are provided which are so shaped as to snugly fit within the end of the form. However, separate end plates are cut to fit the various adjustments of the tapered ends of. the centering forms as occasion may demand.

For conveniently looking the end plates in position, the forms are provided with the openings 26 and 27 in the sides thereof and the openings 28 in the top portion 20* adjacent theedge of the front end. A bottom cross bar 29 having suitable notches at its ends is mounted adjacent the inner surface of the plate so as to extend through the open ings 26 in the lower sides of the forms and engage therewith, holding said plate against inward displacement by the concrete.

For securing the upper portion of the end plate in position, the bars 30 are slidably mounted 011 the inner surface thereof in position to extend through the openings 28.

Slidably pivoted thereto there are movable bars 31 provided with the longitudinal slot engagement with the pin 32 and connected together by the link 33. Said bars are adapted to extend through the openings 27 in the sides of the form when the link 33 is elevated by the hook 34.

In view of the foregoing, when it is desired to close the ends of the forms, the end plate is inserted therein after first locking the bar 29 in the openings 26 and thereafter drawing up on the link 33 to force the bars 31 laterally and the bars 30 upwardly,

through the openings 27 and 28, respectively. In this connection it will be noted that said bars 30 are formed with shoulders which are engaged by bars 31 so that upon the upward movement of the link 33 said bars 30 will be moved upwardly into locking position.

Ihe invention claimed is:

1., In a concrete structure, a centering form therefor made of sheet metal having diagonally extending slots formed therein extending rearwardly from the ends thereof and away from each other, said slots defining a tapered upper end portion, and sides extending longitudinally of the form on each side of said slots, said sides having top portions adapted to extend inwardly so as to telescope with the top portion upon being bent inwardly to form a tapered end.

2. In a concrete structure, a centering form therefor made of sheet metal having diagonally extending slots formed therein extending rearwardly from the ends thereof and away from each other, said slots defining a tapered upper end portion, sides extending longitudinally of the form on each side of said slots, said sides having top portions adapted to extend inwardly so as to telescope with the top portion upon being bent inwardly to form a tapered end, and means for securing the top portion of the form and the top portions of the sides thereof together in adjusted position to obtain the desired angle of taper.

3. In a concrete structure, a centering form therefor made of sheet metal having a tapered end, said tapered end comprising a tapered top portion continuing from the top surface of the form, and inwardly bent sides having top portions separate from the before mentioned tapered top portion adapted to inter-engage therewith for forming a reduced outer end substantially as shown and described.

4:- In a concrete structure, a centering form therefor made of sheet metal having a.

tapered end, said tapered end comprising a tapered top portion continuing from the top surface of the form, inwardly bent sides having top portions separate from the before mentioned tapered top portion adapted to inter-engage therewith for forming a reduced outer end substantially as shown. and described, a sheet metal end plate adapted to beinserted therein for closing the same, and means on said plate for interlocking the same with said form.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto aflixed my signature.

JOHN C. KEPPLE. 

